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Medical Volunteer Program

The Riverside County Medical Volunteer Program (MVP) is a community-based civilian volunteer initiative that utilizes local health care professionals and others to build and support the public health infrastructure of our community and address a wide range of challenges from public health education to disaster response.

We especially need:

All volunteers are welcomed as there are many support functions in medical services. Applicants are required to be in good health, at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license with access to an insured vehicle. They also agree to provide access to employment and professional credential information.

Benefits of Volunteering with Riverside County MVP

Develop knowledge of local and national emergency management procedures

Be given the opportunity to respond to Federal or regional declared emergencies outside of our local jurisdiction

Service Area

The Riverside County MVP supports the mission of the Riverside County Department of Public Health (DOPH) by promoting and protecting the health of all County residents and visitors in service of the well-being of the community.

Potential Duties

During an emergency:

Augment medical and support staff shortages at medical or emergency facilities

Support the US Surgeon General’s Public Health Priorities (http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/publichealthpriorities.html)

Promote public health campaigns

Staff first aid stations at community events

Provide health screenings at health fairs

Distribute health and preparedness information at local events

Recruitment/Credentialing

The Riverside County medical volunteer coordinator, with support from DOPH, facilitates the development, recruitment and management of program. Credentials of licensed and certified medical volunteers are confirmed through the Disaster Healthcare Volunteer system for California (DHVC). Non-medical volunteers are asked to provide references as well as employment and volunteer history.

How to Apply

Contact the program coordinator to apply over the phone 1 (951) 358-7100

Volunteer Categories

Medical
California licensed healthcare professionals who meet local requirements may function within the scope of their licensure as directed by the County Health Officer or his designee.

Medical Support
Health professionals (other than medical volunteers) or students of a health profession that may provide support and/or complement patient care as directed by the County Health Officer or his designee.

Mental Health
California licensed mental health professionals who meet local medical volunteer requirements may function within the scope of their licensure as directed by the Health Officer or his designee.

Volunteer Options
Riverside County’s MVP offers three levels to serve as a medical volunteer. All volunteers registered in Riverside County will be entered into the DHVC system. Once registered, a volunteer can indicate a preference to be a local medical volunteer (e.g. only in Riverside County), a medical volunteer that can be deployed anywhere in California, or a volunteer that can be deployed as a federal asset. Volunteers can indicate a single preference for deployment (e.g. local only) or multiple levels (e.g. local and state or local, state, federal). Those volunteers that indicate a preference that includes a federal response will be registered as part of the Riverside County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).

Commitment

The success of the MVP is based on the availability of its volunteers. Potential volunteers are asked to consider any limitations that may interfere with their availability to respond when needed.

During an emergency, volunteers may be needed during their normal work hours. Volunteers should discuss this possibility with their employer and understand their employer’s policies.

Volunteers agree to advise the program coordinator if:

They will be out-of-town or otherwise unavailable for periods of two weeks or more

Their ability to volunteer with the program is compromised and they are no longer available to serve as volunteer

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a management model for command, control and coordination of an organization’s emergency response activities. It employs a management structure with defined responsibilities, clear reporting channels and common terms.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a core set of doctrines, principles, terminology and organizational processes. These were developed by the Department of Homeland Security to be used in the planning and response to any emergency event on the local, regional, state and national levels. This consistent national wide approach allows “Federal, State and local governments to work together effectively and efficiently to prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents of any size, cause or complexity.”

Following the completion of the online training and exam you will receive a certificate of completion to your personal e-mail address. Please forward the e-mail to Martin Baxter so the certificate may be copied for your file.